BIMMERS & BREWS – Sunken Silo Brew Works – Lebanon, NJ

by

Lebanon, NJ – May 12th – 6 pm

An evening of craft beer, clean builds, and good company at Sunken Silo Brew Works.

We’re kicking off a new kind of chapter event. Bimmers & Brews is a casual, no-pressure car meet at one of Hunterdon County’s best craft breweries. Pull up with your BMW, grab a pint from Sunken Silo’s rotating tap list, and spend the evening walking the lot, swapping stories, and meeting fellow enthusiasts. No agenda. No formalities. Just cars and community.

 

Here’s the best part: Sunken Silo is normally closed on Tuesdays. They’re opening their doors exclusively for the NJ Chapter. That means the taproom, the patio, and the parking lot are all ours for the night.

Event Details

Date

Tuesday, May 12th

6:00pm – 9:00pm

Location

Sunken Silo Brew Works

1320 US-22 West, Lebanon, NJ 08833

Admission

Free to Attend

Open to members & non-members

Food & Drink

Full Tap List Available

Metropolitan Seafood next door for dinner

Spring 2026 – Stable Energies Cars & Coffee – Saddle Brook NJ

by

Saturday, March 21st, the BMW Club met at Stable Energies in Saddle Brook NJ to enjoy a Cars and Coffee morning. Doug Chou, the business manager for the club, contacted Stable Energies to have the Meet and Greet in their parking lot. The company handles Motorsports gear and safety equipment, plus racing car parts and auto repair services. They were Offering a 10% discount on any items purchased by club members as well. Carbon fiber helmets, racing harnesses, gloves, and Other safety equipment as well as brakes, hoses, tools and other specialty items are available here. (sales@stableenergies.com)

The club set up a tent and had volunteers available to answer any questions regarding club events, as well as a sign up sheet for new members. There was a Barista available making free Cappuccino, Espresso, American Coffee and exotic teas. Fruit pastries were also available for guests at no charge.

Over 100 people showed up, and the line up of BMW’s as well as other exotic cars made the event special. Car owners compared notes, admired each others’ vehicles and had a great time from 9 am to 12. As the cars left, one by one, onlookers admired the sight and especially the sounds of each exhaust as the obligatory take-off passed the site on their way to the highway. You couldn’t help but grin at the visceral display that seemed to say…”Take that Electric!”

-JoEllen Petronzi

Club Meeting – 56 Degree Wines – March 19, 2026

by

The NJ BMW Club members gathered last night at 56 Degree Wines in Bernardsville for an enjoyable evening of fellowship, wine, and club updates. Hosts Joe and Nita graciously welcomed the group and provided members with a complimentary wine tasting that set the tone for a warm and relaxed meeting. It was especially nice to see a number of newer club members attending their first meeting and joining in the conversation. Members also enjoyed a delicious charcuterie board from Fourchette in Clinton while mingling and getting to know one another. During the business portion of the evening, the group reviewed upcoming club events and discussed member benefits, including discounts as well as subscriptions to BimmerLife and Roundel magazines. Overall, the meeting was a great combination of socializing, information sharing, and welcoming new faces to the club

TotalEnergies Linden Factory Tour

by

We are pleased to announce that our Valued Sponsor, TotalEnergies, has invited us to tour their Linden, New Jersey plant on April 1st, 2026, at 10 AM. This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore their facilities from an insider’s perspective.
TotalEnergies ranks as the fourth largest publicly traded integrated oil and gas company worldwide and plays a significant role in the chemicals industry. Operating in over 130 countries with a workforce of 100,000, TotalEnergies is dedicated to advancing better energy solutions. The company is involved in every aspect of the petroleum sector and provides an extensive range of oils and greases, including Quartz Engine Oils and Rubia Heavy-Duty Engine Oils. In the United States, they have three sites: Linden, NJ; Rockingham, NC; and Houston, TX.
If you wish to attend, please RSVP on MotorsportReg as space is limited. Because this is an operational plant, safety is a top priority. Kindly wear steel-toed boots if you own a pair; otherwise, boots will be provided—just indicate your shoe size during registration. Hard hats and safety vests will also be supplied at the plant.

Social Meet and Greet February 10, 2026

by

Despite the cold, 17 brave souls showed up at St. James Gate Publick House in Maplewood for a Meet and Greet night to talk cars and learn about events planned for the New Jersey Chapter of the BMW Car Club in 2026. The cozy Irish pub, complete with a fireplace and the best fish and chips around has been a mainstay in the town for forty-five years. John Mead, was happy to accomodate the club.

Paul Ning, the Chapter President handed out a calendar of events and answered questions about the club. People could order dinner and drinks on separate tabs.

The best part of the evening was hearing about what cars people had or were restoring or racing. Larry Engel, the North Atlantic Region Vice President, attended and is very passionate about seeing the membership grow. He gave the group more insights into what the club has to offer. The Driver Schools and Autocross events, social gatherings and rallies, as well as monthly meetings and a street survival school for teenagers offer something for everyone.

Six attendees were at a club meeting for the first time, and were all excited about getting more involved. Don’t miss our next two events! On March 9th 7-9pm in Paramus – SIM racing. If you want to see what it feels like racing on a track, this simulation is awesome! No track insurance needed!
On March 19th at 56 Degree Wine in Bernardsville, join other club members for a complimentary wine tasting and charcuterie board as you talk cars. Special pricing on purchases for BMW CCA members. Bring a friend.

– JoEllen Petronzi

Photo by: JoEllen Petronzi

Members Meeting 56 Degree Wine – Bernardsville, NJ

by

Members Meeting

56 Degree Wine – Bernardsville, NJ

Thursday, March 19 – 7:00 pm

Join NJ BMW CCA members for a relaxed evening of cars and conversation at 56 Degree Wines. Members will enjoy a complimentary wine tasting, charcuterie, and special pricing on bottle purchases.

The name comes from 56 degrees Fahrenheit, often considered a sweet spot for many red wines to show their best balance of aroma and flavor. It is a small detail that makes a noticeable difference in the glass.

Feel free to bring a friend who may be interested in the club. It should be a great night to talk cars and discover a few new favorites.

SIM Racing Social – SIM1Racing – Paramus, NJ

by

SIM Racing Social

SIM1Racing – Paramus, NJ

Monday, March 9 – 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Join us at SIM1Racing in Paramus for a relaxed night focused on sim racing and good company. This is a casual meet up for members and guests to connect, turn some laps, and spend time with fellow BMW enthusiasts.

You can jump into one of their high end simulators and challenge your friends to a race, compare lap times, or just get comfortable behind the wheel in a fun setting. Whether you have plenty of seat time or have never tried a sim before, it is easy to get started.

We’ll also share our lineup of upcoming events so you can plan ahead and get involved.

A special 10% discount will be available on all daily rates and monthly membership.

BYOB; snacks and soft drinks will be provided.

Time:

7:00 – 9:00 PM

Members and Non-Members welcome

Location:

SIM1Racing
145 Route 4 Paramus, NJ 07652

Please RSVP – Attendance is limited to the first 20 registrants

Member Meeting Jan 22, 2026

by

On January 22, 2026, the New Jersey BMW CCA welcomed members to Shade Tree Garage for an evening that mixed club news, great conversation, and some genuinely useful technical learning. The meeting opened with Andy Staiano, Vice President of NJ BMW CCA, sharing updates on current club events and upcoming activities. From there, the room quickly turned into what makes the chapter special: each member introduced themselves, swapped stories, and talked about the BMWs they drive (and wrench on), setting a friendly, enthusiast-first tone for the night.

After introductions, Art, owner of Shade Tree Garage, introduced Master Technician Phillip Eng, who delivered an engaging presentation on road force tire balancing—breaking down the “why” behind vibrations and how road force measurement and correction can transform ride quality. Following the talk, Art, Phil, and the Shade Tree service team led everyone on a tour of the shop, giving members a closer look at the equipment, workflow, and the kind of detail that goes into doing the job right.

Social Meet and Greet

by

February 10 between 6:30 to 8:30

 

Join us at St. James Gate in Maplewood for a fun social Meet and Greet

on February 10 between 6:30 to 8:30

 

We hope you will make this a well attended club event. Members and non members are welcome.

 

It is a great opportunity to meet fellow enthusiasts, network, and learn what our car club is all about.

 

We will also share a list of upcoming events for the year so you can plan ahead and get involved.

 

Location:

St James’s Gate Publick House

167 Maplewood Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07040

 

Bimtoberfest Car Show BMW of Bridgewater

by

BMW of Bridgewater is New Jersey’s BMW enthusiast dealership. Bimtoberfest is just one of our many BMW community and BMWCCA events. Join us on September 15, 2024 for a great time with great people and of course, great cars! Your friends and fellow enthusiast, BMW of Bridgewater.

4th Annual Concours On The Palisades

by

4th Annual Concours On The Palisades

Sunday, July 13, 2025 • 10AM – 2PM

Rain Date: Sunday, August 17

Concours on the Palisades celebrates the finest in luxury, exotic and vintage automobiles. Downtown Fort Lee will host a collection of more than 100 luxury and exotic cars, from vintage classics to the newest and most advanced high-powered vehicles on the road today. This year’s show will also include special recognition of BMW North America 50th Anniversary.

The judging panel will consist of recognized experts and restoration specialists by marque, acclaimed automotive writers and, of course, prior officiating judges from some of the nation’s most prestigious Concours events. Awards include Best of Show, Best of Class, Junior Judging, and Mayor’s Choice, among others.

Bimmers at Carlisle hosted by the Nittany Bimmers Chapter of the BMW CCA

by

May 10 – 11, 2024 

Bimmers at Carlisle hosted by the Nittany  Bimmers Chapter of the BMW CCA 

The Nittany Bimmers are hosting a BMW CCA Regional Event in Carlisle, PA. Last year we had  a great turn out, so we are planning for an even larger BMW show field this year. Owners can  exhibit their cars, socialize with members, and see over 1700 unique and stunning imported  vehicles of current and historic makes. There will also be vendors for performance products, car  care products, a flea market, and accessories displayed throughout the infield show area. 

Several Import & Performance Nationals exhibition events are also planned. This will include drive  through judging, autocross, drifting, exhaust competition, and more. Tickets are available at 

store.carlisleevents.com. A QR link can also be found below. You’ll see a choice for Non-Judged  Showfield at the Import and Performance Nationals. When registering, make sure you select  “BMW CCA/NITTANY BIMMERS” as your club. This will get you into the corral. Entry fee for the  2-day Friday-Saturday event is $45 plus handling.  

This year the Nittany Bimmers plan to have discussion sessions, BMW technical information, and  car care presentations by some of our vendors in our expanded covered tent area. 

For those who come into town early before the show, we are planning to meet at the Rolls  Royce Foundation Museum on Thursday, May 9th in nearby Mechanicsburg.  (https://rollsroycefoundation.org/) 

There will also be options for tour visits to the amazing Antique Automobile Club of America  Museum in Hershey (https://www.aacamuseum.org/). One tour is planned for Saturday  afternoon and a second tour is being offered Sunday morning. 

ACCA Museum Hershey PA 

Tour and Museum visits registration: 

Thursday May 9 tour: Rolls Royce Foundation Museum (https://rollsroycefoundation.org)  in nearby Mechanicsburg PA. 

We will have a private tour at 5:00 PM to see the museum and learn about what the foundation  is doing to preserve the brand’s history. The museum will be closed the next two days since they  will be moving several of their cars to the Import & Performance Event for display.

Friday May 10 and Saturday May 11: Rolls Royce Museum exhibit at the show. Friday and Saturday at 4:00 PM there is the possibility to have a BMW CCA group presentation  at the Rolls Royce Museum exhibit at the show. Please register if you have an interest in one  of these discussion opportunities on either Friday or Saturday at 4:00 PM 

Saturday May 11 and Sunday May 12: Antique Automobile Club of America Museum. We will be offering two options to travel to nearby Hershey to visit the Antique Automobile Club  of America Museum in Hershey ( https://www.aacamuseum.org/). 

The first tour on Saturday will depart from the show at 2:00 PM and a second tour option on  Sunday morning will depart from the hotel at 10:00 AM.  

A group discount rate has been arranged for the BMW CCA. You will pay at the museum: 

To register for any of the above events please scan the QR Code or click the “Register” link below: 

May 09 

Registration for Museum Tours at Bimmers at  Carlisle Hosted by the BMWCCA Nittany Bimmers 

Registration is required for each event. 

Register 

Free 

Saturday May 11: BMW CCA / Nittany Bimmers group dinner. 

The Nittany Bimmers invite show attendees to join us for a buffet dinner at our host hotel, the  Carlisle Comfort Suites Hotel. 10 S. Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA, 17013, US Happy Hour will be from 6:30 to 7:30 with dinner following. There will be a cash bar and the  buffet will be $49 per person, payment will be collected when you register.

Featured Dinner Speaker Steve Saxty – “Inside BMW’s Secret World” Steve Saxty recently published a three volume set entitled “BMW Behind the Scenes”, which will  be featured in a review by David Lightfoot in the upcoming issue of Roundel. You won’t want to  miss hearing Steve’s stories about BMW’s secrets! 

To register for the dinner please scan the QR Code 

or click the “Register” link below: 

May 11 

Registration for Group Dinner at Bimmers at  Carlisle 

Hosted by the BMWCCA Nittany Bimmers 

Featuring guest speaker, Steve Saxty author of the  book, BMW By Design. 

Registration is required for this event.

 

Register 

$49.00 

You can also contact Barry Natwick at: bnatbmw1975@gmail.com if you have any questions. 

Board of Directors 

Nittany Bimmers BMW CCA

 

 

Pinewood Derby & Holiday Party – 2025

by

Pinewood Derby and Holiday Party!

Join us for our annual Pinewood Derby & Holiday Party on Tuesday, December 9th!
This has been a club tradition for over 30 years. Bring out your Pinewood Derby winner from your scouting days or build a new one. Plenty of good fun and competition to be had.
Kids are welcome and encouraged to attend. This is a very family friendly event.
We will be serving complimentary German food and beverages are available for purchase. The food is fantastic and save room for dessert!
Date: Tuesday December 9th, 2025
Location: Deutscher Club in Clark, NJ
Time: 6:30 pm
Pinewood Derby Rules:
Cars must use official BSA Pinewood Derby wheels and axles. Cars must meet following specifications:
– 5 oz maximum
– 7″ max length
– 2 3/4″ max width
– 3/8″ clearance
– powdered graphite the only permitted lube.
Pinewood Derby kits are available at most hobby stores that handle Cub Scout supplies. You can make your own entry, or you can let your kids help. This is a highly competitive NJ Chapter tradition, with many champ series points at stake. Make an entry, or come out and watch.
See you there!

Social Director’s Update – Fall 2023

by

Social Events

Social Director’s Update

While enduring a hot few months of record heat, we still had several events planned before the official end of summer with more to come!

At our August chapter meeting, we were treated to a firsthand look at race car driver Tyler Pappa’s E92 M3 which he currently races and recently competed in the Race to the Clouds at Pikes Peak, Colorado. Tyler is the owner of Bimmer Service by TySpeed, a big supporter and sponsor of our chapter. The Deutscher Club of Clark once again graciously hosted our meeting. 

We had a great turnout at the Cars and Coffee in Holmdel on August 27. The weather cooperated, and we saw many happy faces enjoying the reprieve from the recent high temperatures we’ve had all summer. With people coming and going, we had about 200 cars attend. The relaxed atmosphere made for a family friendly affair as we saw many youngsters accompanying their parents. We even had curious non-BMW owners stop by to take a peek and inquire about the event. There was a great mix of young and old car enthusiasts mingling with each other while sharing the passion for BMW. We are certainly looking forward to the next one!

On perhaps one of the rainiest days at summer’s end, we hosted Bimmer Day with Open Road BMW of Edison for a collaborative event which drew quite a crowd despite the weather. The forecast for September 10 did not even deter guests who drove from Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and even the furthest regions of New Jersey like Cape May and Mahwah! Everyone got a little wet, but attendees spent time under the protected facade of the newly built facility of Open Road BMW and mingled. DRIP Coffee Catering was present to serve complimentary coffee and breakfast pastries.

On October 14 and 15, our last track days will be at our Shenandoah Driver School weekend and will be our last HPDE event for the 2023 season, taking place in West Virginia at the Summit Point Raceway. Whether you are a novice or seasoned veteran of the track, sign up to see what the fun is all about!

Here is a listing of the chapter events from August through December 2023:

  • August 24 Chapter Meeting with TySpeed at The Deutscher Club of Clark
  • August 27 Cars & Coffee in Holmdel
  • September 10 Bimmer Day at Open Road BMW in Edison
  • September 14 Chapter Meeting at Circle BMW 
  • September 16 BMW Vehicle Distribution Center tour in Jersey City
  • September 17 Autocross at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater 
  • September 24 Bimtoberfest at BMW of Bridgewater 
  • October 7 Cars & Coffee in Paramus
  • October 8 Autocross at TD Bank Ballpark
  • October 14-15 Summit Point Shenandoah Driver School
  • October 29 Fall Picnic
  • December 5 Pinewood Derby

Social Director’s Update – Spring 2023

by

Social Events

BMW CCA New Jersey Chapter Quarterly Newsletter

April 2023

Social Director’s Update

Following the great turnout at our events last year, we have plenty of exciting events to look forward to for 2023! Based on recent member feedback, our social programming will now include a greater mix of automotive and social-themed events, some occurring on weekends as requested by those of you with hectic weekday schedules.

Our calendar for this year includes events such as Cars & Coffee, track days and instruction school, autocross, rallies, charity drives, Show & Shine, and a slew of others currently in planning. Keep an eye out for our calendar for new events as the year unfolds. In the works are a movie night, go-karting, and casual dinners. For the enthusiasts curious about the journey a BMW takes from port of entry to dealership, we have been invited to tour the BMW Vehicle Distribution Center (VDC) in Jersey City during the fall. We are also excited to offer the opportunity to attend a one-day M School Day at the BMW Performance Driving School in Greer, SC for a special BMW CCA rate.

We kicked off the spring, our season opening social events at Thumbody coffee for our first Cars & Coffee of 2023! With over two hundred cars in attendance it was a great success. Our next C&C event is expected to be in the mid-summer. Stay tuned for the forthcoming date. Please note that non-members are always welcome to attend our Cars & Coffee, so invite your friends and family!

Our monthly meetings are regularly scheduled events which all members are welcome to attend. Our monthly meetings are typically on a Thursday evening with food and drink provided. So far this year, we have had the pleasure to be hosted by Shade Tree Garage in Morristown who presented on automotive care, and BMW of Bridgewater to see the all-new BMW XM hybrid SUV. 

As always, we appreciate our members! While our commonality is based upon our love of BMWs and individual takes on BMW lifestyles, our goal is to build a thriving community for our members, and that depends on your support. Some of you have reached out to volunteer your time, expertise, and knowledge whether for a committee, an event, or even just part of an event. For that, we are very grateful. The more volunteers we have means that we will be able to plan for larger scale events in the future!

If you’d like to share ideas, volunteer, or have questions, please reach out to us at:

jskwish@njbmwcca.org (Josephine) or whoward@njbmwcca.org (Wade).

Biergarten BMW Night @Deutscher Club of Clark

by

One of our biggest meets of the year is not to be missed. Kids and Families are encouraged to attend. There will be live traditional German music and dancing for all ages. Playground and lawn games.
German Beer Garden and German food. Fantastic homemade desserts from authentic German grandmas!

July 11

Deutscher Club of Clark

Address: 787 Featherbed Ln, Clark, NJ 07066

Time: 5:30pm-10pm

Admission: $5 per person.

As usual, there will be plenty of good German food and beverages!

 

January 22nd Monthly Meeting – Shade Tree Garage

by

Our January monthly meeting will be on the 22 at Shade Tree Garage.
Join us for our first meeting of 2025!

Meeting Details:

Date: January 22, 2026
Place: Shade Tree Garage
171 Washington St,
Morristown, NJ 07960
https://www.shadetreegarage.com/

Time: 7pm – 9pm

BMW CCA NJ 50th Anniversary Party

by

Join your fellow Bimmerphiles at the BMW CCA New Jersey Chapter 50th Anniversary Event, which will be held on Sunday, August 29th from 3pm til 7pm at the Deutscher Club of Clark (787 Featherbed Lane; Clark, NJ 07066).

*This event is open to Members, Lapsed Members and their guests only*

The event – which will be held rain or shine under the Deutscher Club’s picnic pavilion – will feature a buffet picnic lunch with hot dogs, hamburgers, and German favorites, a cash bar, and displays by BMW North America and our other sponsors. There will also be a non-judged car display. This event is a great opportunity to show off your rare or unique BMW at the event!

Tickets must be purchased in advance by WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25th.

  1. Members (with and active BMW CCA membership number) and their guests: $15/person
  2. Lapsed members (without an active BMW CCA membership number) and their guests: $25/person

Commemorative 50th Anniversary T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, and polo shirts are available via CustomInk. Apparel must be ordered by August 9th and will be shipped to you directly before the event

Purchase Tickets
Purchase Apparel

Sponsored By:

eMpower Automotive (https://www.empowerautomotive.com/)

BMW of Bridgewater (https://www.bmwofbridgewater.com/)

ShadeTree Garage (https://www.shadetreegarage.com/)

Circle BMW (https://www.circlebmw.com/)

Questions about the event? Email Rich Altman, Director of Social Events, at richaltman@njbmwcca.org.

Annual NJ Chapter Pick Your Pumpkin Rally to Benefit NORWESCAP

by

Annual NJ Chapter Pick Your Pumpkin Rally to Benefit NORWESCAP

Sun, Oct 26, 2025

Come join us for the NJ chapter’s annual Fall Pick Your Pumpkin Rally. Come out and have a great time roaming scenic back roads of New Jersey while cursing the Rallymaster’s ridiculous clues. In what has become a new tradition of the NJ Chapter, the rally is being run as a charity event to benefit NORWESCAP – an organization dedicated to helping low income families in northwest New Jersey through a variety of services including a food bank and nutrition assistance.

Clues and final route are still being finalized so check back here for updates.

For those of you who are new to the rally, the format is that cars are released onto the route at intervals. You are given a list of route instructions and clues/questions to answer along the way. The car with the highest score in each class wins with ties determined by time. Cars with a driver and navigator may enter the Competition Class (counts toward the chapter Driver Champ Series) or the Family Class and cars with 3 or more people are in Family Class. This is all for fun –  we hope to have some prizes that are provided by the club (and maybe a dealer or two) but come out for the drive along roads that you may not have driven before and the chance to get together with fellow club members. This is one of the few club events with driving involved that both children and non-members are welcome.

Starting Point:
Panera Bread – Raritan (in the Staples shopping center off the Somerville Circle)
300 Route 22
Raritan, NJ 08869

Ending Point:

Longhorn Steakhouse
138 Highway 31
Flemington, NJ 08822We are announcing the end point this year so that anyone who can’t do the rally but wants to join us for food and laughs can do so.

Registration on-site opens: 8:30 am
Driver’s meeting: 9:00 am
First car off: about 9:15 am

Cars will be released in order of registration date/time so register early if you want to be among the first cars sent out!

Cost: $25 per car (collected at the event, exact change much appreciated [we collect payment info during registration only in case you are unable to pay at the event]) – larger donations accepted with gratitude- all net proceeds donated to NORWESCAP. There must be one BMW CCA member in the car who is the registrant. Guests are not required to be members.
You may register on-site on the day of the event if this is a last-minute decision to participate – all are welcome but each car must have at least one Club member.

Event requirements

Please be certain that your current BMW CCA member number is listed in your Motorsportreg profile.

Register here

 

Social meeting hosted by Guten Parts

by

Please mark your calendar for another meeting hosted by our friends at Guten Parts + Service in South Orange, NJ.
This event’s centerpiece will be the unveiling of GPS’s latest (and truly fantastic!) Liqui Moly homage race car!!
Please come join us before the car leaves for the Vintage at the Vineyard event on May 19-21.
The event will start at 6:30pm.

Related Articles - Social